“Erlkönig,” Episode 41 of HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire,” refers to a classic German poem about a father who can’t protect his son from a supernatural being.

By contrast, valet Eddie Kessler (Anthony Laciura) protects his estranged sons from further shame. And he shields gangster Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi) from the feds by committing suicide rather than turning into a confidential informant.

If Eddie stuck to his valet duties, he’d probably still be alive. But by assuming a greater role in Nucky’s criminal enterprises, Eddie draws the attention of zealous Prohibition agent Warren Knox (Brian Geraghty).

“I’m going to own every last bit of you,” Warren threatens, punching Eddie hard in the gut.

When the Capones try to influence the mayoral election in Cicero, Ill., by intimidating workers at a Western Electric plant, plainclothes police officers restore order Chicago-style – killing Frank in a hail of bullets. Now grief-stricken, cocaine-snorting Al is hell-bent on revenge.

Another druggie on “Boardwalk Empire” is Gillian Darmody (Gretchen Mol), who desperately ventures into a dangerous section of Atlantic City to score heroin from thug Dunn Purnsley (Erik LaRay Harvey).

"The Amazing Race" stayed Chile this week, salted and shined and taking care to avoid the lackadaisical street dogs who couldn’t care less that it was ER doctor's Nicole’s 40th birthday or that the remaining 10 teams got $589 on this leg of the race.

Off her meds and off to reveal the truth about the deadly bombing at CIA headquarters, bipolar case officer Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) finds herself isolated and institutionalized in Episode 302 ("Uh... Oh... Ah...") of Showtime's "Homeland."